LAS CRUCES, N.M. – They say there's no place like home and after a week-long road trip that spanned over 7,000 miles and both coasts, the Aggies (6-4, 0-0 WAC) finally returned home to the Pan American Center. In the return, NM State defeated Northern New Mexico (3-11, 0-0 CAC – NAIA) 95-53.
 
Marchelus Avery recorded his first start of the season, and rewarded head coach Greg Heiar with a career performance – pouring in 26 points and eight rebounds. All ten Aggies who played in the game scored, with DaJuan Quaye Gordon chipping in 13 points while Doctor Bradley (11 points, four rebounds) and Shakiru Odunewu (10 points, 10 rebounds) rounded out the double-digit scorers. Deshawndre Washington had an all-around game, stuffing the stat sheet with seven points, 10 rebounds, seven assists, and five steals.
 
As a team, NM State finished the night shooting 48% from the field while limiting Northern New Mexico to a shooting percentage of 28%. The Aggies did most of their damage down low as they scored 52 points in the paint while pulling down the same number of rebounds. Defensively, the Aggies recorded a season-high 13 steals which ultimately turned into 27 points off turnovers.
 
FIRST HALF

• After appearing in the starting lineup for only the third time in his career, Marchelus Avery made an immediate impact – scoring the first five points of the game, including an and-one to break the 0-0 tie.
• Northern New Mexico later scored five straight before James Beck knocked down a turnaround jumper and Doctor Bradley stole an Eagle pass and jammed home a breakaway dunk to give the Aggies a 17-11 advantage with 14:33 left in the half.
• NM State would create even more distance from its in-state competition as they rattled off a 14-point run that was highlighted by a pair of flashy plays. Washington dove to the floor for a steal before finding a running Gordon who lobbed a pass up for an Avery dunk. The ensuing Eagle possession would also end in a steal and a dunk as Pinson got in the passing lane and started a fastbreak that finished with a Washington dunk.
• Another late run from the Aggies to finish the half would give NM State a 28-point lead entering the half.

SECOND HALF

• After posting 15 points in the first half, Avery picked up where he left off by scoring nine of the first 11 Aggie points to help NM State out to a 33-point lead with 17 minutes left in the game.
• Avery's points came as part of a 21-4 run early in the second half that pushed the Crimson & White lead to 44 points.
• Shakiru Odunewu would cap off the Aggie victory by scoring the Aggies' final seven points to give him 10 for the night while lending his help in a 42-point win. 

NUMBERS OF NOTE

• Marchelus Avery finished with career-best marks in points (26), rebounds (9) and field goals made (11). Avery's 26 points is also the most by any Aggie in any game this season.
• Xavier Pinson matched his best rebounding performance of the season with five boards.
• DaJuan Quaye Gordon turned in his fourth straight game with 10 or more points – a feat he had never achieved in his impressive career before.
• Shakiru Odunewu finished with 10 points and 10 rebounds in just 13 minutes of action to post his second career double-double and match Deshawndre Washington for most double-doubles among the Aggies this season.
• Deshawndre Washington posted a career-high five steals against the Eagles. The mark is also the most for any Aggie this season.